WBIW.com News - state

Cintra Sets Up Shop In Indiana

(INDIANAPOLIS) - A Spanish company is expected to take over operation of the Indiana toll road today, with some new construction sure to follow.

Cintra's contract with the state requires it to add electronic tolling within two years, and build a third lane between East Chicago and Lake Station.

The first phase of that project is to be completed next year, with the whole thing done by 2010.

Beyond that, Indiana Finance Authority Director Ryan Kitchell says specific road projects are up to the company, as long as the road meets standards laid out in the contract.

An agreement with the state guarantees the jobs of most toll road workers through March, but 14 administrative staffers have been fired. Kitchell says most of them have hooked on elsewhere in state government at the same pay, a few have retired.

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